The 2024-2025 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Senate is scheduled to meet at 3:10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, in Illini Union Room A (1st floor). Meeting materials are available online.  We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

The Graduate College's Career Exploration Fellowship connects Ph.D. students with campus units for mentored work experience. Host units hire a Fellow for 10-15 hours per week, $25 per hour, and the Fellow receives a fellowship/tuition waiver. Enthusiastic learners and innovative thinkers, Fellows contribute significantly to units. Curious about hosting in Fall 2025? Email gradsuccess@illinois.edu.

The Illini Union Bookstore will have great FamILLy Holiday deals as they drop a different item each day from Dec. 13-20. From $10 off Illinois FamILLy t-shirts to $10 Julia Gash Illinois tote bags to $19.99 campus icons tumblers, there are incredible deals waiting for you!

We are excited that Fighting Illini football is going bowling! To secure your souvenir bowl apparel, please take a moment to complete this form by 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9. You will receive an email with details on how to purchase your official Illini bowl apparel — t-shirt, hoodie, hat and more — before we send it out to the general public.

The Mental Health and Wellness Winter Break Resources webpage is now live. Please direct students who are staying in the area and need help during winter break to the information listed on the page for hours and availability of respective departments on campus, as many units will be closed and/or have limited hours.

This in-person cohort-based leadership program provides tools and skills and networking opportunities to any faculty developing a research group in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or The Grainger College of Engineering. It addresses a range of topics including mentoring, managing difficult conversations and negotiation skills for problem-solving. Interested? Apply by Dec. 13, 2024.

Boldly Illinois 2030, the exciting and uniquely Illinois approach to help us achieve our combined potential, is now live. Visit the website to learn more about the strategic planning framework we will use to help guide our future for the next several years.

The European Union Center welcomes applications for EUC Professional Development Grants to support conference or workshop travel. We can provide funding for up to $500 for domestic travel and up to $1,000 for international travel. The deadline to apply is Jan. 15. See here for details!

Are you hosting a Black History Month event? Whether it’s a discussion, performance or community activity, we want to feature it! We are gathering Black History Month events into one central calendar, so submit your program to https://go.illinois.edu/BHMC2025 by Jan. 8, 2025. Allow us to highlight all the amazing work happening on campus and in the local community!

Cybersecurity takes involvement from everyone. The Cybersecurity Champions Program enlists team members from departments across campus to advocate for cybersecurity in their own work areas. Join in online conversations, try challenges to earn cool prizes, give away swag to help spread the cybersecurity message among your workmates and more. No experience needed. The new class begins in January. 

The final day we will be accepting Radioactive Materials for delivery or collecting waste in 2024 will be Friday, Dec. 20. We will resume these activities on Monday, Jan. 6. Please contact the Division of Research Safety at drs@illinois.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

The Writers Workshop will close all satellite locations after Dec. 12. The Main Library will have modified hours beginning on Saturday, Dec. 14, and will close for the semester at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18. On Wednesday, we'll host drop-in hours from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. See our website and social media for the full finals schedule! We will re-open on Jan. 22.

Our office will be open the following hours during final exam week for processing exams administered using Scantrons:  Friday, Dec. 13, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 16 through Thursday, Dec. 19, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. We also will remain open during the lunch hour from noon to 1 p.m.

Learn about Allerton’s folk school and shop at The Farms: Winter Market from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 20-21, in the Mansion. Instructors from The Farms will share information about their craft and do demonstrations. There will be food trucks and an opportunity to view Holiday GLOW and participate in the Winter Solstice Bonfire at 7 p.m. Dec. 21. $10 per vehicle, payable upon arrival.

Benny DelValley at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18. DelValley operates the Pond Street Food Truck, where he serves “Midwest Fish with Modern Flavor.” He is local, industry-taught and has proven adept at serving at both pop-up and private dining experiences. $100 per person. Register here by Jan. 3.

Meet on the night of the full moon to strengthen your body, mind and spirit at Full Moon Yoga at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, in the Allerton Mansion Library. Go through strength poses perfect for students of all levels. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mat. Limited mats will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration is required here. 

Individuals from underrepresented groups who are promising candidates for campus faculty positions may be nominated for the Illinois Distinguished Postdoctoral and Visiting Scholar Program. Funding is available to support up to four post-doctoral research associate or visiting scholar positions that would enhance campus diversity. Learn more about the department request process. 

Registration is open for the Chief Engineers and Facility Manager Conference. This training conference features high-quality educational sessions on the latest technologies and applications used in the efficient and sustainable operation of buildings. Industry experts deliver presentations and offer attendees the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and discuss common interests.

Just a friendly reminder that we are getting together for Trivia Night at Collective Pour a5 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10. Trivia will start at 7 p.m., but we will meet earlier to gather and chat about how the semester has been treating us so far.  

Celebrate the end of the semester with this special movie screening courtesy of the Japan Foundation Film Series! Japan House will feature "Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko" (2021), directed by Ayumu WATANABE, an highly acclaimed animated film to showcase Japanese cinema. Admission to the screening is free, but registration is required. The location is at the School of Art + Design, NOT Japan House!

Celebrate the end of the semester with this special movie screening courtesy of the Japan Foundation Film Series! Japan House will feature "Finding Calico" (2015), directed by Yoshihiro FUKAGAWA, a highly acclaimed film to showcase Japanese cinema. Admission to the screening is free, but registration is required. Note the location is at the School of Art + Design, NOT Japan House!

University Housing’s annual Late Night Breakfast will take place Wednesday night from 10 p.m. to midnight in the ISR and IKE dining centers. This event gives our residents with a meal plan the chance to fuel up, de-stress and have some fun before finals. Guests without a meal plan can enjoy a meal in University Housing dining halls by using Illini Cash or credit card.

Dial-A-Carol has been a U. of I. tradition since 1960, and you're invited to help us spread joy to callers from all over the world! Sign up through our volunteer form to sing (which can be a fun activity to do with your coworkers!), or just call 217-332-1882 any time 24/7 from Dec. 12–18 to request your favorite holiday tune!

Join OLLI at Illinois members for a week of free lectures and study groups at our M2 location and on Zoom, Monday-Friday, Dec. 9-13. Experience what the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute has to offer local residents 50 or older — and learn how you can get involved in our learning community. For information or to register, visit olli.illinois.edu, email olli@illinois.edu or call 217-244-9141.

On Reading Day, take a study break to relax and refresh at the library's end-of-semester tradition, De-Stress Fest! From animals, crafts, VR, snacks, academic support and more, there is something for everyone! Locations include Funk Library, Grainger Engineering Library and Main Library. See our calendar post for each location's unique schedule of events. We hope to see you there! 

Join Academic Women in STEAM for our monthly seminar series, Science Uncorked. Our next event will be 6 pm, Tuesday, Dec. 10, at The Literary in downtown Champaign. Our speaker, Taiye Winful, anthropology postdoc, will present “The Etiology of Inflammatory Responses: Exploring Biocultural Influences on Salivary C-Reactive Protein in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital." All are welcome!

Take a break from studying on Reading Day! Come visit CITL's Innovation Studio between noon and 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, in the Armory room 172. You will be able to interact with generative AI, create a gift with a 3D printer or laser cutter, make a video in an invisibility cloak or take photos with our mascot, Hodgepodge the Hedgehog! McKinley staff will provide wellness support. 

Recruit students for spring, summer and fall 2025 semesters! Register for the Illinois Part-Time Job Fair, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 29, at the Illini Union. The Fall Part-Time Job Fair attracted over 2,300 students, so this is the perfect event to find top talent eager to gain experience. Registration is free, but space is limited. Sign up here to secure your spot!

Everyone is invited to our annual open house. Come for the cookies, stay for the fun! Explore the resources available at this statewide special library located on the U. of I. campus. Enjoy homemade cookies, hot chocolate and holiday punch. Thursday, Dec. 12th, 2024, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse, Children's Research Center,  2202 Kirk Dr., Room 20, Champaign.

We are excited to invite you to the Global Mental Health Research and Services Conference on Oct. 9 and 10, 2025, in Champaign Coinciding with World Mental Health Day, our theme is "From Local to Global: Encouraging creative solutions to transcultural mental health challenges." To participate in this conference, please submit a proposal. Abstracts are due Jan. 31, 2025.

International students join us for the Tata Innovation Dialogue with Akhilesh Tripathi, CEO, Digitate. Learn how he propelled "ignio," a Tata Group innovation, into one of the fastest-growing enterprise applications. Discover its cutting-edge practices and future outlook. Explore Tata Global Internships — prestigious opportunities offering international students transformative global experiences!

Join us for a festive Winter Market featuring a diverse array of vendors offering unique gifts perfect for the holiday season! Don't miss the chance to get your picture taken with the Grinch — it's a fun photo opportunity for all ages! Celebrate the spirit of the season and find that perfect gift for your loved ones! 

This presentation will present a new stress-based procedure to assess whether a liquefied strength or liquefied strength ratio should be applied to a zone(s) along a potential failure surface in a static or dynamic stability analysis to assess the flow failure potential of dams, embankments and slopes.  The new procedure will be illustrated using two examples. 1.0 PDH.

Join Kelly Delahanty with the U. of. I. System to hear how running a D&D campaign is like conducting a UX test: extensive prep, coordinating schedules, guiding participants through tasks and resisting the urge to solve other's problems. All this can be a lot to deal with, but she has some tips to make your UX process - and your adventure - less stressful.

The next Online Student Service Watercooler Group meeting is at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, via Zoom. This month, we will have panelists joining us to discuss how they recruit students into their online programs. 

Matthew C. Ehrlich, author of "The Krebiozen Hoax: How a Mysterious Cancer Drug Shook Organized Medicine," joins Ryan A. Ross of the University of Illinois Alumni Association to discuss the book. The conversation will be followed by a Q&A.

We are looking to interview parents of LGBTQ+ children who can recall at least one memorable message other family members have made about their children’s LGBTQ+ identity. We’d like to hear your story through an interview of approximately one hour over Zoom. Participants will receive a $25 Amazon gift card after the interview. Express interest in participating here.

We are examining the effects of complementary protein in a meal on the rate of building muscle proteins. The study requires three days of participation, including two full-day trials with blood and muscle sample collection. You get $250 upon completion, information about your body composition and results of your lower body strength testing. Contact zanz3@illinois.edu for more information.

We are developing a technology to support cognitive and social aspects of everyday life for older adults (60+). If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulty with thinking, memory or concentration, we would like to gather your thoughts about this technology in a group discussion. Participants will be compensated. Visit this link or contact us: HFA-SPARC@illinois.edu or 217-300-5445. 

Recruiting 3- and 4-month-old infants who are exclusively breastfed since birth and have not received any solid foods. We request the collection of three to four infant stool samples. Participants will receive a gift certificate upon sample pick up. For more information, contact Dr. Marcia Siegel at monaco@illinois.edu or 217-244-2873.

Labs That Work for Everyone is an interactive, asynchronous professional development program designed to promote healthy lab environments and equip lab members with skills to own and manage their careers. Join the pilot and develop vital leadership and communication skills today. Pilots can be fully independent or take place with your lab group.

Looking for adults ages 40-75 to participate in a study into prolonged sitting and how adults think. The study's aim is to test the feasibility of interrupting sitting with short bouts of high-intensity exercise in older adults and measure brain and cognitive functions before and after sitting. Compensation for participation is $280. If you are interested, please click here.